Experiencing nausea during or after coughing can be an uncomfortable and confusing sensation. This phenomenon arises from several physiological responses.
The Body’s Connected Responses
The body’s systems are interconnected, and coughing, while primarily a respiratory action, can trigger responses in the digestive system. A key player in this connection is the vagus nerve, which extends from the brainstem to organs like the lungs and digestive tract. It influences both the cough reflex and digestive processes, including nausea. Forceful coughing can stimulate this nerve, leading to nausea.
Forceful coughing also increases pressure within the abdominal cavity. This rise in intra-abdominal pressure can irritate the stomach and diaphragm, contributing to nausea.
Intense coughing can also activate the gag reflex due to throat irritation, which is linked to nausea. The brain processes these stimuli from the vagus nerve, abdominal pressure, and gag reflex, which can manifest as nausea.
Underlying Health Contributors
Several common health conditions can contribute to the co-occurrence of coughing and nausea, often making the experience more frequent or severe. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, can cause both chronic cough and nausea. Acid irritation can trigger coughing, and its presence in the esophagus or throat can induce nausea.
Post-nasal drip, where excess mucus drains down the throat, is another frequent contributor. This mucus can irritate the throat, causing a cough, and if swallowed, can upset the stomach and cause nausea.
Respiratory infections like bronchitis, whooping cough, or severe colds often cause intense coughing fits that trigger nausea. The body’s effort to clear airways during these infections can lead to digestive upset.
Asthma, characterized by narrowed airways, can also lead to coughing severe enough to induce nausea. In some cases, a chronic cough is the only symptom of cough-variant asthma, and this cough can be intense enough to cause nausea or vomiting.
Certain medications can also have coughing and nausea as side effects, such as some cough suppressants.
When to Consult a Doctor
While coughing and associated nausea can be temporary, certain signs warrant medical attention. Consult a doctor if symptoms are persistent, worsening, or significantly interfere with daily activities.
- Specific warning signs include shortness of breath, chest pain, or fever.
- Other concerning symptoms include unexplained weight loss, coughing up blood, or blood in vomit.
- If an underlying condition like GERD or asthma is suspected, seeking medical advice for diagnosis and treatment is important.
- For children and elderly individuals, who are more susceptible to complications, a quicker medical assessment is often recommended.
Managing the Discomfort
To alleviate discomfort from coughing and nausea, several strategies can be employed at home.
- Staying well-hydrated with fluids like water or clear broths helps thin mucus, making it easier to clear and potentially reducing cough intensity.
- Eating smaller, more frequent meals can prevent the stomach from becoming overly full, which may reduce nausea, especially if reflux is a factor.
- Over-the-counter remedies like cough drops for throat irritation or antacids for reflux can offer symptomatic relief. Follow medication instructions.
- Identifying and avoiding specific triggers, like certain foods that worsen reflux or environmental irritants such as smoke or allergens, can also help manage symptoms.
- Adequate rest is beneficial for recovery and can help the body cope with persistent coughing.
- If reflux is a concern, elevating the head during sleep with pillows can help prevent stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus.